Voices of Faith: Do animals have souls?

The Rev. R.L. Baynham, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan.: Is this question about animals having souls, or is it about what will happen to our wonderful and loyal pets when this life as we know it, is ended? Our desire is to be able to see our pets that have been good to us here enjoy the same benefits in the afterlife. The Bible has registered on many occasions the value of animals to man.

While I understand this powerful association with pets and while we are created and live in this environment, we are different. We understand that all animals are not the same in their behavior and other aspects. Their main role in the world is to provide for man's survival and companionship.

Animals were created with instincts that allow them to function with special abilities to understand danger, disasters and friendliness of other animals. Man, on the other hand, was created with moral ability and intelligence to distinguish right from wrong. Man also was created to give God glory and participate in the responsibility to bring the highest good to his neighbor and God.

It is a wonderful feeling to think our pets will have a place in the hereafter, but heaven is a place where believers go when life on this Earth is ended.

► ANIMALS HAVE A REALM

Lama Chuck Stanford, Rime Buddhist Center & Monastery: From the Buddhist perspective, any "sentient" being is subject to karma and re-birth. A "sentient" being is defined as any being with a consciousness or awareness. That would include not only humans, but also animals, insects right on down the food chain to the smallest creature.

However, Buddhism does not believe in an individual, eternal soul as in other faiths. The enduring essence that remains after death is not individual, nor is it eternal. Nonetheless, it is what is repeatedly reborn over and over again. This nonindividuated essence is sometimes referred to as the subtle consciousness or mind-stream.

So, although we do not refer to this enduring essence as a "soul," there is this essence that does continue on and does not die. This is the same for all sentient beings, including animals. Animals are stuck in the animal realm because they are ruled by instinct. For example, carnivorous animals eat one another, causing great suffering and consequently generate negative karma. As a result it is very difficult for them to escape the animal realm of existence.

We are so incredibly fortunate to have been born in this human realm of existence. We have this amazing mind and intellect that we can use to do spiritual practice - which animals are unable to do. Through spiritual practice our lives can manifest great dignity and compassion for all beings.